Strain bar assembly



3 Sheets-Sheet l W. L. HOLLANDER STRAIN BAR ASSEMBLY Nov. 18, 1952 Filed March 1, 1950 INVENTOR. Willzan' Lflollarzder dilly Nov. 18, 1952 w HQLLANDER 2,618,681

STRAIN BAR ASSEMBLY Filed March 1 1950 3 Shuts-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. William L Hollander 2 F 1 3 RIM t 5 g n m b 8 I 6 1 MM H. H. V 0 6, k. .rflnfi m n z M m 2 h I m S )4. 3 I H W m w W S m m m H H N L M m m w m Nov 18, 1952 Flled March 1, 1950 Patented Nov. 18, 1952 STRAIN BAR ASSEMBLY William L. Hollander, Centralia, Mo., assignor to A. B. Chance Company, Centralia, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application March 1, 1950, Serial No. 147,103

19 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to switch servicing equipment, and is particularly concerned with an improved switch equipment which is adapted to be isolated electrically from the line, while the line is still intact, so that the switch and its parts may be inspected, serviced, or replaced under ole-energized conditions.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of an improved switch of the tilting insulator type, the lead of which is so connected to a strain bar that it may be manipulated by means of insulated wrenches and clamp sticks so as to disconnect entirely the switch from the line at its lead, thus de-energizing the switch and permitting the linemen to work upon the switch without danger.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved switch assembly, including pivoted links for supporting the lead which extends from the line to a contact on a pivoted insulator, in which the strain bar, by means of which the line is attached to a string of insulators, is provided with a pivot flange for the links and for also acting as a connector which can be removed by loosening a few clamping bolts and lifting it with a clamp stick to de-energize the switch.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved switch structure of the class described, in which the combined connector plate and pivot plate for the lead and links can be readily replaced and secured electrically to a strain bar which is attached to the end of the line, thereby connecting a switch in circuit with the line again by means of hot line tools.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, of which there are three sheets.

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a switch structure forming a part of a line installation and located at the top of a line pole, shown with a jumper attached, by means of which the switch is to be by-passed;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the arrangement of the parts after the lead and links have been disconnected from the strain bar, for the purpose of isolating the switch electrically and de-energizing it while it is being serviced;

Fi 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the strain bar connector and pivot plate which is used at the right hand end of the assembly of Fig. 1; v 7

2 Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the strain bar;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, taken throughthe strain bar on the plane of the line 55 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken through the strain bar, on the plane of the line 66 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 1-1 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to Fig. 1, l0 indicates in its entirety the switch assembly, which is mounted upon a line pole II by being secured to a pair of cross arms l2, 13. The switch is supported upon a channelled metal member l4 and is secured to the cross arms by bolts l5 passing through the cross arms and channel.

The present switch has its channelled base insulated from the line by a string of insulators IS on the left and another string of insulators l! on the right, these insulators being pivoted together and pivotally attached to the channel base [4 to withstand the tension of the line.

The end of the insulator string at the left insulator l6 pivotally supports a universal strain clamp l8 provided with an oval body I!) having a peripheral groove so arranged that the line 20 may pass about the strain clamp, beginning at the top side and, following the groove, it may pass under a clamping member 2!, which is driven into clamping engagement with the line conductor by a screw bolt 22.

The conductor having traversed the strain clamp, it then extends upward at 23 and is bent over to be secured to the clamp or connector 24, which is carried by the fixed contact and fixed insulator. The channelled base l4 supports one or more fixed columns 25 which carry the insulator 26 by means of which the fixed contacts 21 are insulated from their surroundings.

The insulator 26 has a metal plate 28 at its upper end, by means of which the fixed contacts 21 are mounted on the insulator 26. The fixed contacts are integrally joined to a suitable electrical con-' nector 29, which in this case engages the line conductor 23 to complete the circuit.

The switch contacts 21, visible in Fig. l, are identical with other contacts mounted on the opposite side of the switch arm 30.

Connector plates 24 and 29 are located to receive conductor 23, about which they may be tightened by drawing the plate 24 down close to the terminal 29. l

The base 3| of the contacts 2! carries a threaded member 32 engaging clamping plate 33 for clamping the upwardly extending arcing horns 34. The arcing horns 34, which are identical on both sides of the base 3 I are bent outwardly at 35 so that their diverging ends 36 separate from the movable arcing horn 37 when it moves up past the bend 35.

The contacts 2! are provided with outwardly diverging U-shaped guides 38 to provide a tapered opening for receiving the switch blade 30.

The base I 4 carries a pair of hangers 39 secured to it by bolts and provided with aligned bearings 40 for rotatably supporting the shaft 4 I The insulator base 42 is mounted on the shaft 41 and has a downwardly projecting arm 43, which is pivotally connected at 44 to a connecting rod 45.

The connecting rod is connected to the crank arm 46 through a pair of pivots AI, 48, and an intermediate link 49, the pivots M, 48 being at right angles to each other to form a universal connection.

The 'crank arm 46 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 56 carried by hanger BI; and crank arm 46 has a cooperating clamp 52 secured by two threaded bolts 53, -4 to the crank arm 46. The crank arm 46 and clamp 52 have a rectangular recess 55 between them for receiving an eccentric shaft, by means of which a plurality of switchesa-re simultaneously actuated by the same shaft.

All of the details of the switch itself and its actuating means maybe substantially as described .in the prior patent of Leonard J. Linde, No. 14-89326; issued November 29, 1949.

The insulator 5.6 has a metal cap, to which is securedthe switch blade 38, to be moved by the insulator 56 on the shaft '4I. The blade 30 has a clamping member 57 with a screw bolt 58 for securing the arcing horn 31 to the blade.

The movable switch member 36 is connected to the-lineby means of a flexible conductor or lead 59, one end of which is clamped to the switch blade 36 by a connector plate 60 and screw bolts BI. The other end of the lead 59 is clamped to a combined pivot plate and connector '62 by meansrof the bolts 63, clamping plate 65, and

nutsf65.

Clamping plate 64 consists of a metal plate, which may be rectangular in shape, having bores for passing the bolts 63, and having suitable grooves extending longitudinally between the bores for receiving one or more conductors 59. The lead59 is supported and guided by means of a plurality of rigid links 66, 61, the links having a plurality of clamping members 68 for holding. the .lead in substantially the position shown in Fig. :1, to move with the links.

The links are arranged in pairs so that there are two links 66, the lett end of both links being pivoted on the movableswitch blade 35 by a screw bolt 69; and the conductor is arranged between the links. At theircpposite end, that is, the right end, the two links 65 are pivotedtoget'her bya bolt I0 carrying a cotterpin on the end opposite toits head.

The links 61 are pivoted at their upper end at and at their lower end links 67 are arranged on the opposite sides of the combined connector and pivot plate 62; as shown in Fig. 6, where they are pivoted upon an eye bolt I I. The eye bolt II hasa ring 1-2 large enough to be manipulated by means of an ordinary insulated clamp stick; and

4 at its opposite end the shank I3 carries a cotter pin '14.

In addition to the links 66 being secured together in parallel relation by the pivot bolts 86 and ill, and the links 6! being secured in a similar manner by bolts l6 and II, these links may also be made more rigid by a plurality of through bolts 15 each of which has a head at one end and a cotter pin at the other end, with a tubular spacer between the links.

The combined pivot plate and connector 62 is a very important feature of the present invention; and it is shown in elevation in Fig. 6. It comprises an elongated metal plate having a rectangular body It provided with a pair of through bores IT for the bolts 63. At its upper end plate 62 is formed with a cylindrical hinge formation 58 having a cylindrical through bore I9 forming a bearing for the shank I6 of the eye bolt II.

The clamping plate 64, which secures the conductors .59 to the connector 62, also has bores for the bolts .63; and the bolts 63 carry spring washers 89 and nuts 65.

At its lower end the connector plate 62 has a parallelsided, axially extending slot 82. This slotis of sufiicient width to pass the shanks of bolts 83, and is open at its lower end, as indicated at as.

The plate has the two legs 35 beveled at 86 at the lower end (Fig. 6) for a purpose further to be described. The. slot 62 is also adapted to receive the web 88 of the strain bar 83; and the web 88 at this point is beveled on both sides at its upper edge at 90, forming a V-shaped edge SI for more readily guiding the web 8.8 into, the open end 8'3 of the slot 82.

The strain bar 89 may consist of a cast metal member which is formed at its right end with a fiat body 92,having a through bore 93 for attachment to a strain clamp E I. The strain clamp may be substantially the same as the strain clamp I8 at the other end of the assembly (Fig. 1)'; and it is secured to the strain bar 89 by a through bolt 95 with a cotter pin in the end of the bolt.

The line conductor 95 may enter the groove 97 of the strain clamp 6 at its lower side, and may be curved about the body of the strain clamp in a clockwise direction, as shownin Fig. 1, until it emerges from the groove with a downwardly extending portion 96, which is clamped to the strain clamp by means of clamping member 99 and the bolt and nut Illii.

The downwardly extending portion 98 of the line-conductor is bent upward at IIH and has its end I02 clamped between the terminal pad I03 and the clamping member I64 by means of the screw bolts Hi5 threaded into clamping member I04.

Clamping member I04 is provided with a suitable longitudinally extending groove I06 for receiving the end I62 of the line conductor and effecting an electrical connection.

The terminal pad I533 comprises a rectangular metal member having four through bores I61 symmetrically arranged at its lower end for receiving the clamping bolts I05. At its upper end terminal pad I63 isbeveled at E8 on the right hand side, as contrasted with the bevel on the pivot plate 52, which is on the left hand side.

The upper end of the terminal pad I63 may have a longitudinally extending slot IE9 for receiving the lower edge of the strain bar and web 88. Between its ends terminal pad I03 has a pair of centrally located bores I Ill arranged in a line and located to receive the screw bolts 83, which are preferably provided with spring washers III between the heads and the terminal pad I03.

The strain bar 89 is shown in elevation in Fig. 4, in cross section in Fig. 5, and in the assembly in Fig. 3. It comprises a cast metal member having a substantially rectangular body in elevation; and at its right end the body has a depending lug H2. This lug H2 extends downwardly and diagonally toward the right in Fig. 4; but may be placed at any desired angle.

The lug H2 is relatively thick, to provide sufficient body for the threads in the two transversely extending threaded bores I I3.

The web 88 is relatively thin, like a metal plate, as shown in Fig. 6; and it is bordered on the body by means of a peripheral reinforcing flange H4 on both sides of the strain bar. Flange H4 may project until its outer surface is substantially flush with the surface of the flat body 92 at the right end of the strain bar 89.

As viewed from the top or right, the lug I I2 (Fig. 5) tapers toward the top and where its edges join with a diagonal reinforcing and guide flange H5; and the lug I I2 is oval at its lower end and provided with the tubular portions I I6 surrounding the threaded bores H3. These tubular portions are joined by a reinforcing web I I1,

The web 88 of the strain bar is also continued toward the left of the diagonal guide flanges I I5, where it is slightly thickened, as indicated at 88a; and it is bordered on both sides of the strain bar by a diagonally extending guide flange I I 8 so that the flanges H8, I I5 form an upwardly and downwardly diagonal slot on each side of the strain bar, these slots being indicated at I I9.

The strain bar 89 has a further web portion 88b to the left of the guide flange H8 (Fig. 4) and this is bordered at the top and bottom by laterally projecting reinforcing flanges I20, I2I. These may taper toward the left, as shown in Fig, 5, to the point I22, where they are again widened to join to a pair of parallel pivot flanges I23.

These parallel pivot flanges are separated by a rectangular slot I24, which is open at the left end; and the parallel flanges have the aligned bores I25. The two parallel flanges I23 fit on the opposite sides of the metal fitting I26 carried by insulator II, to which they are p v tally s c r by a through bolt I21, having a cotter pin in the end opposite to the head.

The strain bar 80 is identical in construction on its two opposite sides, as shown in Fig. 4.

At their upper ends the juncture between the flanges H8 and I is rounded at I28. The upper juncture between the flange I I5 and the flange I I4 is rounded at I29. This provides an upwardly diverging opening between these flanges for guiding the beveled end of the pivot plate 82 into the slots I IS.

The depending lug II! is also preferably pro vided on its left side with a longitudinally extending, rectangular rib I30, which forms an extension of the thickened web portion 88a (Fig. 5) and aids in maintaining the alignment of the connector plate 62.

At the lower part of the strain bar 89 the flanges I2I and H8 are formed with an angular recess I3I at their juncture for the purpose of providing space for the beveled end I08 of the terminal pad I03 ((Fig.7).

The screw bolts 83 pass through the bores H0 of the terminal pad I03, and are threaded into the threaded bores H3 on the depending lug H2 carried by the strain bar. The ends of bolts 83 opposite to their heads is riveted over at I32 so that these bolts are never wholly removed; but there is suiflcient clearance between the rivet ends I32 and the depending lug H2 so that the bolts 83 may be retracted to remove the clamping action of these bolts from the connector plate 62.

However, even at this time the bolts 83, passing through bores I I0, continue to hold the terminal pad I03 loosely- The operation of the present mechanism and the mode of its use in servicing the switch is as follows:

Referring to Fig. 1, a jumper conductor I 33, which is heavily insulated, has its ends attached to the tap clamps I34, I35. The tap clamps are lifted by means of insulated clamp sticks, which are attached to the eyes of the eye screws I36; and one tap clamp I34 is secured to the line concluctor 96 to the right of the switch assembly in Fig. l.

The jumper I33 is put in good electrical connection with the line 96 by driving the eye screw I36 home. Then the second tap clamp I35 is similarly connected to the line conductor 20 by using a clamp stick. The switch assembly is now bypassed by the jumper I33; but the switch is still energized.

The portion 23 of the line conductor 20 is next detached at the connector 24 by means of an insulated wrench socket carried by a wooden pole; and the conductor portion 23 is bent over toward the left, away from the switch assembly, as shown in Fig. 2. This disconnects the switch from the line at the left.

The lineman then applies a socket wrench carried by an insulating wooden pole to the heads of the screw bolts 83, and withdraws these screw bolts until the tension of the spring washers II I is relieved and the terminal pad I 03 hangs loosely, but is carried by screw bolts 83, spaced from the face of the depending lug I I2.

By virtue of the diagonal position of the lug H2 the terminal pad I03 tends to drop toward the left toward the heads of the bolts 03, leaving a wider space between the terminal pad I03 and lug H2.

The combined pivot plate and connector plate 62 is now no longer clamped at its lower end by the bolts 83; and a clamp stick is applied to the ring I2 of the eye bolt II by having its jaws closed through the ring. The operator may then liftthe clamp stick I3! by means of its wooden pole; and acting upon the eye bolt II, the tool end of the clamp stick may be used to slide the plate 62 off the web 88a and out of the slots I I9, which are defined by the flanges H5, H8.

The slot 82 of plate 62 then passes upward off the bolts 03 and web 88a until it is totally disconnected from the strain bar 89, as shown in Fig. 2. The links 61 may then be pivoted over toward the left to the dotted line position of Fig. 2; and the clamp stick I31 may have its wooden pole secured in that position, holding the eye bolt H by fastening the lower end of the clamp stick to the line pole with a suitable saddle and pole clamp, such as is used for securing such operating poles to the line pole I I.

The lead 59 being secured to the plate 62, its lower end is moved with the connector plate 62; and the switch is now totally disconnected from the right side of the line 96 at the strain bar 89. Electric service through the line continues through the jumper I33; but the switch has been disconnected from the line at both ends and is de-energized. It may now be serviced by the linemen as required and new parts substituted or repairs made on any part that requires service.

After the switch has been put in good condition again, the lower end of the clamp stick is released from the line pole I I at the saddle which is holding it; and the lineman then moves the plate 62 over to the right hand position of Fig. 2 by means of the clamp stick I31 and brings the beveled end 86 of plate 62 down to the diverging openings of the slot lie on the strain bar 89.

The slot 82 of plate 62 must be made to straddle the web 88a, but it is guided by the V-shaped point 9| of this web; and the plate 62 passes downward in the slots I I9, being manipulated by the clamp stick. As the beveled end 86 of plate t2 approaches the beveled end I08 of terminal pad I03 the two opposite bevels guide the plate 62 between the terminal pad I03 and the depending lug H2 of the strain bar 89 until plate 62 again reaches the position of Fig. 3 or Fig. 6.

Then the bolts 83 are again tightened by means of an insulated socket wrench; and bolts 83 clamp the plate 62 in the strain bar in the position of Fig. 3. When this has been done, the switch is mechanically and electrically connected to the strain bar 89 at the right end of the switch assembly (Fig. 1).

The line conductor 23 is then again manipulated by means of the insulated clamp sticks into position in the connector 24; and the connector bolts are again tightened by means of an insulated socket wrench.

The switch is now again connected in circuit and should be closed before removing the jumper I33. The jumper I33 may now be removed by using a clamp stick to release the tap clamps I33 and I35; and the jumper is lifted from the line by means of the two clamp sticks, leaving the switch connected in circuit.

It will thus be observed that I have invented an improved switch assembly and improved servicing equipment whereby such a line switch may be electrically disconnected from the line at the strain bar at the same time the links are mechanically disconnected, which links support the switch lead.

The switch may then be serviced without interruption in the supply of electrical current; and all of the parts may be manipulated by means of tools carried by long wooden insulated poles, such as clamp sticks or other tools mounted on the well known Universal pole.

The present equipment is simple in construction, easy to release and easy to re-assemble by using a clamp stick; and the equipment is safe to manipulate in this manner.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A strain bar assembly for detachably supporting switch leads and the links which carry the leads, comprisin a strain bar formed with bearing flanges at its opposite ends, for attachment by means of pintles to an insulator and to a strain clamp carrying the line, the said strain bar being provided, intermediate its ends, with upwardly and downwardly extending guide means, means for electrically connecting the end of the line to the strain bar, and a combined pivot and connector plate electrically secured to a lead to the switch and pivotally secured to one of said linksto provide asupportfor a link supporting said lead, said combined plate engaging said guide means on said strain bar to effect a mechanical and electrical connection.

2. A strain bar assembly for detachably supporting switch leads and the links which carry the leads, comprisin a strain bar formed with bearing flanges at its opposite ends, for attachment by means of pintles to an insulator and to a strain clamp carrying the line, the said strain bar being provided, intermediate its ends, with upwardly and downwardly extendin guide means, means for electrically connecting the end of the line to the strain bar, and a combined pivot and connector plate electrically secured to a lead to the switch and pivotally secured to one of said links to provide a support for a link supporting said lead, said combined plate engaging said guide means on said strain bar to effect a mechanical and electrical connection, said strain bar carrying threaded clamping members for clamping the combined plate when it has been engaged by said guide means.

3. A strain bar assembly for detachably supporting switch leads and the links which carry the leads, comprising a strain bar formed with bearing flanges at its opposite ends, for attachment by means of pintles to an insulator and to a strain clamp carrying the line, the said strain bar being provided, intermediate its ends, with upwardly and downwardly extending guide means, means for electrically connecting the end of the line to the strain bar, and a combined pivot and connector plate electrically secured to a lead to the switch and pivotally secured to one of said links to provide a support for a link supporting said lead, said combined plate engaging said guide means on said strain bar to effect a mechanical and electrical connection, said combined plate being provided with an eye for engagement with a clamp stick so that the combined plate and its attached parts may be removed from the strain bar by means of an insulated clamp stick.

4. A strain bar assembly for detachably supporting switch leads and the links which carry the leads, comprising a strain bar formed with bearing flanges at its opposite ends, for attachment by means of pintles to an insulator and to a strain clamp carrying the line, the said strain bar being provided, intermediate its ends, with upwardly and downwardly extendin guide means, means for electrically connecting the end of the line to the strain bar, and a combined pivot and connect-or plate electrically secured to a lead -to the switch and pivotally secured to one of said links to provide a support for a link supporting said lead, said combined plate engaging said guide means on said strain bar to efiect a mechanical and electrical connection, said combined plate being provided with an eye for engagement with a clamp stick so that the combined plate and its attached parts may be removed from the strain bar by means of an insulated clamp stick, the said guide means comprising a web carried by the strain bar, and a longitudinal slot opening into the end of the combined plate.

5. A strain bar assembly for detachably supporting switch leads and the links which carry the leads, comprising a strain bar formed with bearing flanges at its opposite ends, for attachment by means of pintles to an insulator and to a strain clamp carrying the line, the said strain bar being provided, intermediate its ends, with upwardly and downwardly extending guide means, means for electrically connecting the end of the line to the strain bar, and a combined pivot and connector plate electrically secured to a lead to the switch and pivotally secured to one of said links to provide a support for a link supporting said lead, said combined plate engaging said guide means on said strain bar to effect a mechanical and electrical connection, said combined plate being provided with an eye for engagement with a clamp stick so that the combined plate and its attached parts may be removed from the strain bar by means of an insulated clamp stick, the said guide means comprising a Web carried by the strain bar, and a longitudinal slot opening into the end of the combined plate, and the strain bar also havin border flanges on both sides of the web engaging both sides of the combined plate.

6. A strain bar assembly for connecting the line to insulators at a switch installation or the like, comprising a strain bar provided at its opposite ends with transverse bearing bores for receiving pins for connection to an insulator at one end and to a strain carrier at the other end, said body having a depending connector flange provided with a pair of transverse threaded bores, a threaded member in each bore, and a terminal pad, said terminal pad having a pair of bores for passing said theaded members, and said terminal pad having an electrical connector, and a combined connector and pivot plate adapted to be slid between the terminal pad and the depending lug and clamped by said threaded members, so that the combined plate may be secured to the strain bar or released from the strain bar by tightening or releasing said threaded members.

'7. A strain bar assembly for connecting the line to insulators at a switch installation or the like, comprising a strain bar provided at its opposite ends with transverse bearing bores for receiving pins for connection to an insulator at one end and to a strain carrier at the other end, said body having a depending connector flange provided with a pair of transverse threaded bores, a threaded member in each bore, and a terminal pad, said terminal pa-d having a pair of bores for passing said threaded members, and said terminal pad having an electrical connector, and a combined connector and pivot plate adapted to be slid between the terminal pad and the depending lug and clamped by said threaded members, so that the combined plate may be secured to the strain bar or released from the strain bar by tightening or releasing said threaded members, said depending lug extending slightly diagonally so that the heads of the threaded members are lowermost and the terminal pad tends to rest against said heads, leaving a space between the terminal pad and the depending lug for easy insertion of the combined plate.

8. A strain bar assembly for connecting the line to insulators at a switch installation or the like, comprising a strain bar provided at its opposite ends with transverse bearing bores for receiving pins for connection to an insulator at one end and to a strain carrier at the other end, said body having a depending connector flange provided with a pair of transverse threaded bores, a threaded member in each bore, and a terminal pad, said terminal pad having a pair of bores for passing said threaded members, and said terminal pad having an electrical connector, and a combined connector and pivot plate adapted to be slid between the terminal pad and the depending lug and clamped by said threaded members, so that the combined plate may be secured to the strain bar or released from the strain bar by tightening or releasing said threaded members, said depending lug extending slightly diagonally so that the heads of the threaded members are lowermost and the terminal pad tends to rest against said heads, leaving a space between the terminal pad and the depending lug for easy insertion of the combined plate, the said combined plate and terminal pad being oppositely beveled at their leading ends, which approach each other to guide the combined plate between the terminal pad and depending lug.

9. A strain bar assembly for connecting the line to insulators at a switch installation or the like, comprising a strain bar provided at its opposite ends with transverse bearing bores for receiving pins for connection to an insulator at one end and to a strain carrier at the other end, said body having a depending connector flange provided with a pair of transverse threaded bores, a threaded member in each bore, and a terminal pad, said terminal pad having a pair of bores for passing said threaded members, and said terminal pad having an electrical connector, and a combined connector and pivot plate adapted to be slid between the terminal pad and the depending lug and clamped by said threaded members, so that the combined plate may be secured to the strain bar or released from the strain bar by tightening or releasing said threaded members, the said combined plate being formed with a longitudinal slot extending into its end, and the said strain bar having a complementary central portion for engaging the opposite sides of said slot as the combined plate is moved into place.

10. A strain bar assembly for connecting the line to insulators at a switch installation or the like, comprising a strain bar provided at its opposite ends with transverse bearing bores for receiving pins for connection to an insulator at one end and to a strain carrier at the other end, said body having a depending connector flange provided with a pair of transverse threaded bores, a threaded member in each bore, and a terminal pad, said terminal pad having a pair of bores for passing said threaded members, and said terminal pad having an electrical connector, and a combined connector and pivot plate adapted to he slid between the terminal pad and the depending lug and clamped by said threaded members, so that the combined plate may be secured to the strain bar or released from the strain bar by tightening or releasing said threaded members, the said strain bar being formed with a central longitudinally extending web and with guide flanges extending in the direction of the terminal pad, to engage both sides of the combined plate and to guide it into place.

11. A strain bar assembly for connecting the line to insulators at a switch installation or the like, comprising a strain bar provided at its opposite ends with transverse bearing bores for receiving pins for connection to an insulator at one end and to a strain carrier at the other end, said body having a depending connector flange provided with a pair of transverse threaded bores, a threaded member in each bore, and a terminal pad, said terminal pad having a pair of bores for passing said threaded members, and said terminal pad having an electrical connector, and a combined connector and pivot plate adapted to be slid between the terminal pad and the depending lug and clamped by said threaded members, so that the combined plate may be secured to the strain bar or released from the strain bar by tightening or releasing said threaded members, the said two threaded members being riveted over at their outer ends on the opposite side of said depending lug, so that they cannot be removed from the depending lug, thereby keeping the terminal pad in position to be engaged by the combined plate.

12. A strain bar assembly for connecting the line to insulators at a switch installation or the like, comprising a strain bar provided at its opposite ends with transverse bearing bores for receiving pins for connection to an insulator at one end and to a strain carrier at the other end, said body having a depending connector flange provided with a pair of transverse threaded bores, a threaded member in each bore, and a terminal pad, said terminal pad having a pair of bores for passing said threaded members, and said terminal pad having an electrical connector, and a combined connector and pivot plate adapted to be slid between the terminal pad and the depending lug and clamped by said threaded members, so that the combined plate may be secured to the strain bar or released from the strain bar by tightening or releasing said threaded members, the said combined plate being provided with threaded members and a clamping connector plate for securement to an electrical conductor, and also having a pivotal connection to a mechanical link which supports said conductor.

13. A strain bar assembly for connecting the line to insulators at a switch installation or the like, comprising a strain bar provided at its opposite ends with transverse bearing bores for receiving pins for connection to an insulator at one end and to a strain carrier at the other end, said body having a depending connector flange provided with a pair of transverse threaded bores, a threaded member in each bore, and a terminal pad, said terminal pad having a pair of bores for passing said threaded members, and said terminal pad having an electrical connector, and

a combined connector and pivot plate adapted to be slid between the terminal pad and the depending lug and clamped by said threaded members, so that the combined plate may be secured to the strain bar or released from the strain bar by tightening or releasing said threaded members, the said combined plate being provided with threaded members and a clamping connector plate for securement to an electrical conductor, and also having a pivotal connection to a mechanical link which supports said conductor, the said pivotal connection including an eye bolt which may be safely engaged and handled by means of an insulated clamp stick.

14. A strain bar assembly for detachably supporting a switch lead and its supporting link, comprising a strain bar provided with an eye at each end for attachment 'to an insulator and to a strain clamp, a combined pivot plate and connector, comprising a plate formed with a bearing at one end for supporting said link, said plate also supporting an electrical connector connected to said switch lead and carried by said plate, an electrical connector carried by said strain bar for connection to the line, guide means 12 carried by said strain bar for guiding said plate into a position in which it is to be clamped to the strain bar, and threaded means carried by the strain bar for clamping said plate in said position.

15. A strain bar assembly for electric transmission lines, comprising a strain bar having means at its ends for strain connection to an insulator and to a line strain clamp, an electrical connector carried by the strain bar for connection to the line which is to be carried by the strain clamp, a combined connector and'pivot plate removably secured on said strain bar, said plate carrying an electrical connector for connection to a flexible conductor which is to be connected to the other end of the line, a link for supporting said flexible conductor, pivotally mounted on said pivot plate, and clamping means for securing the combined connector and pivot plate on the strain bar, to eifect a mechanical and electrical connection or disconnection of the link and flexible conductor from the strain bar simultaneously.

16. A strain bar assembly for electric transmission lines, comprising a strain bar having means at its ends for strain connection to an insulator and to a line strain clamp, an electrical connector carried by the strain bar for connection to the line which is to be carried by the strain clamp, a combined connector and pivot plate removably secured on said strain bar, said plate carrying an electrical connector for connection to a flexible conductor which is to be connected to the other end of the line, a link for supporting said flexible conductor, pivotally mounted on said pivot plate, and clamping means for securing the combined connector and pivot plate on the strain bar, to efiect a mechanical and electrical connection or disconnection of the link and flexible conductor from the strain bar simultaneously, the said combined connector and pivot plate being connected to said link by means of an eye bolt serving as a pintle, the eye bolt also being used to manipulate the pivot plate during its removal and attachment by means of a clamp stick or the like.

17. A strain bar assembly for electric transmission lines, comprising a strain bar having means at its ends for strain connection to an insulator and to a line strain clamp, an electrical connector carried by the strain bar for connection to the line which is to be carried by the strain clamp, a combined connector and pivot plate removably secured on said strain bar, said plate carrying an electrical connector for connection to a flexible conductor which is to be connected to the other end of the line, a link for supporting said flexible conductor, pivotally mounted on said pivot plate, and clamping means for securing the combined connector and pivot plate on the strain bar, to effect a mechanical and electrical connection or disconnection of the link and flexible conductor from the strain bar simultaneously, the said clamping means comprising a depending supporting lug carried by the strain bar and provided with threaded means, said threaded means carrying the first-mentioned electrical connector and serving as a clamp for clampin the pivot plate against said lug.

18. A strain bar assembly for electric transmission lines, comprising a strain bar having means at its ends for strain connection to an insulator and to a line strain clamp, an electrical connector carried by the strain bar for connection to the line which is to be carried by the strain clamp, a combined connector and pivot plate removably secured on said strain bar, said plate carrying an electrical connector for connection to a flexible conductor which is to be connected to the other end of the line, a link for supporting said flexible conductor, pivotally mounted on said pivot plate, and clamping means for securing the combined connector and pivot plate on the strain bar, to effect a mechanical and electrical connection or disconnection of the link and flexible conductor from the strain bar simultaneously, said strain bar having a depending lug provided with a clampin surface, threaded members carried by said lug and carrying said clamping means, said combined connector and pivot plate being provided with a slot for embracing said threaded means and being insertable between said lug and clamping means to be clamped by said threaded means.

19. A strain bar assembly for electric transmission lines, comprising a strain bar having means at its ends for strain connection to an insulator and to a line strain clamp, an electrical connector carried by the strain bar for connection to the line which is to be carried by the strain clamp, a. combined connector and pivot plate removably 14 secured on said strain bar, said plate carrying an electrical connector for connection to a flexible conductor which is to be connected to the other end of the line, a link for supporting said flexible conductor, pivotally mounted on said pivot plate, and clamping means for securing the combined connector and pivot plate on the strain bar, to effect a mechanical and electrical connection or disconnection of the link and flexible conductor from the strain bar simultaneously, said strain bar being provided with a depending lug and with a guide slot above said lug for receiving said pivot plate, said clamping means comprising a pair of threaded members and a terminal pad forming a part of said first-mentioned connector.

WILLIAM L. HOLLANDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,668,828 Steinmayer May 8, 1928 1,923,312 Jacobs Aug. 22, 1933 1,928,635 Steinmayer Oct. 3, 1933 

